Follow Mayo Clinic

Register

Archives

Share this:

May 28, 2019

Telerehabilitation improves quality of life for patients with late-stage cancers, reduces costs

By Elizabeth Zimmermann

A new study suggests that remotely delivering rehabilitation
services to patients with late-stage cancer improves their physical function,
pain and quality of life while allowing them to spend less time in hospitals
and nursing homes.

Study findings are published in JAMA Oncology. They were of such import for practice
transformation, notes Dr. Cheville, that the journal also published what turned
out as a complimentary invited
commentary, "Collaborative Telerehabilitation – A Smart Move for
Patients With Advanced Cancer."

Andrea Cheville, M.D.

Dr. Cheville says this trial, supported by the center's
study design, data collection and research coordination experts, is an example
of an innovative care option that meets patients where they are.

"Research drives everything we do for patients, and in
this case, our evidence shows that we have a new way to improve the health care
experience for our patients," she says. "And telerehabilitation
appears to lead to lower health care costs too, reducing hospital and nursing
home stays as well as in-person care visits."

Dr. Cheville's multi-institutional team was the first ever
to study the use of telecare among complex and vulnerable patients with late stage
cancers. "The model that we used is novel and scalable," she says,
"and aligns with Mayo’s vision of increasing remote care delivery."

Telerehabilitation research is one of the many ways Mayo Clinic extends knowledge and care to more people through innovative telemedicine platforms that improve access and outcomes for patients, and collaboration with other providers and researchers.